MP3 Tuesday: Harrison Wargo
Best known for his stint as the singer of Pittsburgh punk-pop band The Morning Light, Harrison Wargo has been keeping himself plenty busy since his parting of ways with that group. Wargo spent the last year working in his home studio in Wexford on his first solo album, Speckled. This week’s MP3 Monday Tuesday, “Simpler…
Talking tour with 28 North
It’s not necessarily a popular time to be called 28 North, but it’s an okay time to be 28 North. The local rock band has a welcome-back show Saturday night at Thunderbird Cafe; singer Alex Stanton took some time last week to chat with me about the tour the band just undertook, and its plans…
Quick weekend-based blog post
What’s up FFW>> READERRRRRS HEY-OHHHH IT’S A HOLIDAY WEEKEND! Uh. Yeah, so there are some things going on, as usual, that didn’t quite make the cut in the music section for one reason or another. I’m gonna tell you about them, and also, look out later today for a blog post featuring my interview with…
Short List: Week of September 2 – 9
Thu., Sept. 2 In 1995, after126 years in operation, New York’s Willard Psychiatric Center closed its doors forever. And it was only then that the lives of many of its patients came to light. Tucked in the hospital’s attic was a door, and behind that door lay 400 hundred suitcases, largely undisturbed, taken from patients…
Hot Franks
It’s not just hot dogs at this Strip District eatery.
Going the Distance
Oh, modern love. You finally find the right guy/girl, and then they move 3,000 miles away. But hey, we can make it work, right? Right?
In this cheerfully vulgar romantic comedy from Nanette Burstein (American Teen), our make-it-work couple meet in New York City: Erin (Drew Barrymore) is an aspiring journalist, and Garrett (Justin Long)…
Takers
Don’t get me wrong: John Luessenhop’s crime caper is pretty junky, from its ridiculous scenarios to its hoary “stylish” direction. But if you needed a last blast of no-brainer air conditioning, replete with lots of male eye-candy, wildly silly chases and an odd quip or two, this is a palatable popcorn-muncher. An uncatchable crew of…
The American
Edward (George Clooney) is a professional in the hired-gun business. After a bit of unexplained trouble in Sweden, he’s now hiding out in a small village in Italy, working on a new assignment. But the hunter is also the hunted — Edward is jumpy — and there is a strange man lurking about. And like…
The Phantom of the Opera
For those who believe prayer doesn’t work, I offer the following as proof of divine intervention: The Phantom of the Opera is shutting down. According to the powers-that-be, the show is making its farewell tour of the provinces (landing here in Pittsburgh thanks to the Cultural Trust and Broadway Over America). And once it’s over…
A new book about baseball’s “Pittsburgh cocaine seven” barely makes it to first base.
Enough with the unsubstantiated claims and the constant reliance on previously published material.
This Just In: September 2 – 9
Highlights from the local TV news: Dog Danger!
Inducing Labor
P-G unions mulling over contract offer, buyouts
Deadline, Schmedline
County years behind on department review
Taxing Debate
Rendell, gas drillers have different ideas of fair tax on shale
People on the Bus
Further cuts will make getting to class even harder for students
School Bus
Those depending on PAT to get to class give proposed cuts an F
Lady Gaga brings the future to the gleaming new CONSOL Energy Center
With all due respect to Sir Paul, if you go to one pop concert in Pittsburgh this year, Lady Gaga’s may be the most culturally relevant and freaky-fun.
Thomas Function packs teen kicks and pop hooks with plenty of attitude
The bravado, the immature mood swings, the hope to be loved — it’s the whiny id that Thomas Function taps so well that constitutes much of the band’s appeal.
Guitarist Sir Richard Bishop’s latest explorations feature power-trio Rangda
Bishop approaches experimental guitar as a vehicle for circumnavigating the globe to absorb folk traditions purveyed by some of the least famous musicians on the planet.
Corey Layman concludes a year-long project: recording a new song every week
“It was definitely aided by the fact that I’d be tinkering around and learning to record with the iPhone.”
Worm Feast
I’d like to compost all those kitchen scraps that go down the disposal. I know there’s a better use for them than filling a dump. But backyard composting involves careful attention to things like moisture, aeration, and the proper mix of “greens” and “browns” … whereas I’m often unable to find a matching pair of…
Savage Love
Here’s my problem: I love women. I love the way they move, I love the way they sound. I like to see them naked. But the idea of actually interacting with women — trying to engage them in intelligent conversation — absolutely fucking terrifies me. I’m a virgin at 30. I’ve never been on a…
In I Just Want to Watch, TV seems made for Andy Warhol — until it remakes him.
Warhol’s involvement in TV bore both the culmination of his aspirations as a “business artist” and the cancellation of his creative authority.
